Latest news with #KratosDefense
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Is Increased Focus on Hypersonic Tech Opening New Doors for Rocket Lab?
In recent years, the rapid development and adoption of hypersonic technology across industries, from aerospace and defense to space exploration, have opened new growth avenues for Rocket Lab USA RKLB, a key player in hypersonic testing with its HASTE launch system. With commercial firms and government agencies ramping up investments in advanced hypersonic systems to bolster space access and national security, RKLB remains well-positioned to capitalize on this accelerating technological shift. Notably, Rocket Lab's HAEST (Hypersonic accelerator suborbital test electron) is a suborbital testbed launch vehicle that provides reliable, high-cadence flight test opportunities needed to boost hypersonic and suborbital system technology development. In April 2025, Rocket Lab secured a contract from Kratos Defense to conduct a full-scale hypersonic test flight for the U.S. Department of Defense. Additionally, RKLB's HASTE platform has been included in two major defense frameworks — the $46 billion Enterprise-Wide Agile Acquisition Contract with the U.S. Air Force and the UK Ministry of Defence's £1 billion ($1.3 billion) Hypersonic Technologies & Capability Development Framework. These programs allow Rocket Lab to compete for launch and engineering services in advancing hypersonic technologies. The inclusion across both U.S. and UK initiatives underscores the growing demand for HASTE in defense testing and is likely to significantly boost Rocket Lab's future revenue stream. While HASTE has not yet won any purely commercial contract, its demonstrated reliability and cadence in the defense sector may soon open doors to non-defense payload opportunities. As increased investment in hypersonic technology has become a global trend lately, with nations like the United States, the United Kingdom, and China significantly boosting funding for research and development in this tech, other stocks like Lockheed Martin LMT and RTX Corp. RTX are also indulging in advanced hypersonic technology developments. Notably, Lockheed Martin has been developing highly advanced hypersonic technology for the past 60 years. To this end, the company is currently working in partnership with DARPA, the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Army, and the U.S. Navy to transition hypersonic concepts to operational reality. LMT's Conventional Prompt Strike is a hypersonic boost-glide missile currently under development, which boasts the capability to provide longer range, shorter flight times, and high survivability against enemy defenses. On the other hand, RTX is working across its business and domains to move advanced hypersonic capabilities from creation to testing and into the hands of warfighters at top speed. RTX is currently involved in the design of the Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile, which leverages Northrop Grumman's scramjet propulsion to travel at more than five times the speed of sound and cover vast distances in minutes. The U.S. Air Force currently expects this missile to be operational by fiscal 2027. Shares of RKLB have surged 467.2% in the past year compared with the industry's 40.9% growth. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research The company's shares are trading at a premium on a relative basis, with its forward 12-month Price/Sales being 17.85X compared with its industry's average of 9.65X. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research The Zacks Consensus Estimate for RKLB's 2025 and 2026 earnings has improved over the past 60 days. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research RKLB currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMT) : Free Stock Analysis Report RTX Corporation (RTX) : Free Stock Analysis Report Rocket Lab Corporation (RKLB) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Sign in to access your portfolio
Globe and Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Is Increased Focus on Hypersonic Tech Opening New Doors for Rocket Lab?
In recent years, the rapid development and adoption of hypersonic technology across industries, from aerospace and defense to space exploration, have opened new growth avenues for Rocket Lab USA RKLB, a key player in hypersonic testing with its HASTE launch system. With commercial firms and government agencies ramping up investments in advanced hypersonic systems to bolster space access and national security, RKLB remains well-positioned to capitalize on this accelerating technological shift. Notably, Rocket Lab's HAEST (Hypersonic accelerator suborbital test electron) is a suborbital testbed launch vehicle that provides reliable, high-cadence flight test opportunities needed to boost hypersonic and suborbital system technology development. In April 2025, Rocket Lab secured a contract from Kratos Defense to conduct a full-scale hypersonic test flight for the U.S. Department of Defense. Additionally, RKLB's HASTE platform has been included in two major defense frameworks — the $46 billion Enterprise-Wide Agile Acquisition Contract with the U.S. Air Force and the UK Ministry of Defence's £1 billion ($1.3 billion) Hypersonic Technologies & Capability Development Framework. These programs allow Rocket Lab to compete for launch and engineering services in advancing hypersonic technologies. The inclusion across both U.S. and UK initiatives underscores the growing demand for HASTE in defense testing and is likely to significantly boost Rocket Lab's future revenue stream. While HASTE has not yet won any purely commercial contract, its demonstrated reliability and cadence in the defense sector may soon open doors to non-defense payload opportunities. Other Stocks Focusing on Hypersonic As increased investment in hypersonic technology has become a global trend lately, with nations like the United States, the United Kingdom, and China significantly boosting funding for research and development in this tech, other stocks like Lockheed Martin LMT and RTX Corp. RTX are also indulging in advanced hypersonic technology developments. Notably, Lockheed Martin has been developing highly advanced hypersonic technology for the past 60 years. To this end, the company is currently working in partnership with DARPA, the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Army, and the U.S. Navy to transition hypersonic concepts to operational reality. LMT's Conventional Prompt Strike is a hypersonic boost-glide missile currently under development, which boasts the capability to provide longer range, shorter flight times, and high survivability against enemy defenses. On the other hand, RTX is working across its business and domains to move advanced hypersonic capabilities from creation to testing and into the hands of warfighters at top speed. RTX is currently involved in the design of the Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile, which leverages Northrop Grumman's scramjet propulsion to travel at more than five times the speed of sound and cover vast distances in minutes. The U.S. Air Force currently expects this missile to be operational by fiscal 2027. The Zacks Rundown for RKLB Shares of RKLB have surged 467.2% in the past year compared with the industry 's 40.9% growth. The company's shares are trading at a premium on a relative basis, with its forward 12-month Price/Sales being 17.85X compared with its industry's average of 9.65X. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for RKLB's 2025 and 2026 earnings has improved over the past 60 days. RKLB currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Only $1 to See All Zacks' Buys and Sells We're not kidding. Several years ago, we shocked our members by offering them 30-day access to all our picks for the total sum of only $1. No obligation to spend another cent. Thousands have taken advantage of this opportunity. Thousands did not - they thought there must be a catch. Yes, we do have a reason. We want you to get acquainted with our portfolio services like Surprise Trader, Stocks Under $10, Technology Innovators, and more, that closed 256 positions with double- and triple-digit gains in 2024 alone. See Stocks Now >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMT): Free Stock Analysis Report Rocket Lab Corporation (RKLB): Free Stock Analysis Report
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Kratos Defense price target raised to $44 from $38 at Noble Capital
Noble Capital raised the firm's price target on Kratos Defense (KTOS) to $44 from $38 and keeps an Outperform rating on the shares. The shares have risen above the prior target, the analyst tells investors in a research note. The firm views the company's recent awards and demonstrations as further confirmation of the Kratos strategy 'in providing leading edge disruptive technology products and systems.' It remains positive on the growth potential for Kratos, both on the defense and commercial sides. Easily unpack a company's performance with TipRanks' new KPI Data for smart investment decisions Receive undervalued, market resilient stocks right to your inbox with TipRanks' Smart Value Newsletter Published first on TheFly – the ultimate source for real-time, market-moving breaking financial news. Try Now>> See the top stocks recommended by analysts >> Read More on KTOS: Disclaimer & DisclosureReport an Issue Kratos Defense price target raised to $44 from $33 at JPMorgan Kratos Defense to open new manufacturing facility in Oklahoma Cathie Wood Loads Up on Archer Aviation Stock (ACHR) Drone Stock AIRO Group (AIRO) Skyrockets 128% in Market Debut Kratos Defense announces participation in NATO's At-Sea Demonstration
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions (NasdaqGS:KTOS) Reports Increased Q1 Earnings And Confirms 2025 Guidance
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions recently announced promising first quarter results with a revenue increase to USD 303 million and net income rising to USD 5 million, fostering a supportive environment for its stock price, which climbed 28% last month. The company's expanded guidance for the second quarter and full year reflected optimism that may have bolstered investor confidence amid a generally positive market driven by easing U.S.-UK trade tensions. Notably, the expansion of automated truck systems and a recent $30 million air defense contract potentially supported the surge in Kratos' share price, countering the broader market's more modest 1% growth. We've identified 1 possible red flag for Kratos Defense & Security Solutions that you should be aware of. Find companies with promising cash flow potential yet trading below their fair value. The recent developments surrounding Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, including their substantial revenue and net income growth, have set a positive tone for investor sentiment. This progress, coupled with expanded guidance and new contracts, suggests a promising future trajectory for the company. Over the past three years, Kratos' total return, including share price and dividends, reached a substantial 180.19%. This demonstrates a significant outperformance compared to a generally positive market environment over the same period. In the previous year, Kratos outpaced both the broader U.S. market and the US Aerospace & Defense industry, which recorded returns of 7.7% and 19.4%, respectively. This suggests that the company's strategic initiatives and external market conditions have potentially contributed to sustained investor confidence. The anticipated growth in defense budgets and new contracts like the MACH-TB hypersonic contract may have positive implications for future revenue and earnings forecasts. Today's share price of US$34.42 is slightly below the analyst consensus price target of US$34.82, presenting a 1.1% potential upside. This modest gap implies that analysts on average regard the company as fairly valued, albeit with room for potential reassessment based on forthcoming performance outcomes and market conditions. In summary, while short-term gains have been encouraging, Kratos' long-term strategies and industry positioning remain pivotal to its future growth prospects. Assess Kratos Defense & Security Solutions' future earnings estimates with our detailed growth reports. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Companies discussed in this article include NasdaqGS:KTOS. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Fear and loathing for truckload earnings
Q1 earnings season is upon us, with early results pointing to continued degradation in truckload carriers' financial health. Wisconsin-based Marten Transport released its Q1 earnings on Wednesday, but with publicly traded companies timing is everything. FreightWaves' John Kingston notes, 'The earnings, released midday Wednesday in an unusual move given that the stock market was open for business, saw declines in almost every major metric.' A big metric truckload carriers use is operating ratio (OR), or the comparison of your costs to your revenue. In the case of Marten, OR decreased in its truckload, dedicated, intermodal and brokerage segments. Truckload fell to 100.3% compared to 99.5% last year. Dedicated, viewed as a safer option compared to the boom-bust of one-way truckload, fell 500 basis points y/y from 87.1% to 92.2%. Intermodal, which remained over 100 OR last year, rose from 101.5% in Q1 2024 to 108.3%. The one bright side was Marten's brokerage segment, which fell 110 bps y/y to 93.5%. The earnings release also showed a shrinking fleet, with Marten's total tractor count down to 3,040 compared to 3,406 a year ago. Diving further showed Marten's truckload tractor count fell from 1,830 to 1,670 while dedicated declined from 1,459 to 1,262 tractors. Executive Chairman Randolph Marten noted in the release that the company's earnings continued to be pressured by the duration and depth of the freight market recession, paired with overcapacity and weak demand. The tariff uncertainty added further woes, with Marten noting the company remains focused on minimizing the impact of U.S. and global economies from trade policy volatility. Marten's plan to address these challenges comes from organic growth and getting fair compensation for their premium Ohio-based Ease Logistics is part of a collaboration between the Ohio Department of Transportation and the Indiana Department of Transportation aimed at testing truck automation technologies. FreightWaves' Steve Barrett writes, 'A DOT grant is partially funding the $8.8 million, multiyear project, which is gauging different levels of automation in truck fleets.' The route involves a 175-mile stretch between Columbus, Ohio, and Indianapolis, with two tractor-trailers participating in the test. 'This technology offers a complete safety system with redundancies that could make roadways safer,' Ohio State Highway Patrol Capt. Chris Kinn said. 'Unlike human drivers, automated vehicles do not drive impaired, text while driving, fall asleep at the wheel or recklessly speed. The goal of this technology is to take the human error out of the safety equation.' The trucks are equipped with Kratos Defense platooning technology linking them electronically, with a human driver in the lead vehicle being able to control the speed and direction of the second truck. DriveOhio noted that the tech enables the autonomous follower truck to precisely follow the path of the lead truck. For law enforcement agencies worried about trucks following too closely, the two trucks are equipped with purple lights in the cabs to notify them they're electronically linked. Freight audit and payment provider Cass Information System released on Monday its March Cass Freight Index. The shipments component saw a slight narrowing in year-over-year declines, with March down 5.3% y/y compared to 5.5% y/y in February. Seasonally adjusted month over month saw shipments fall 2.1% compared to a 4.9% gain in February due to severe January weather. Pre-tariff shipping was also cited for the higher February numbers. Freight expenditures, which measured the total amount spent on freight, rose 2.8% m/m in March. Looking at y/y comps, the decline narrowed to 2% from a decline of 4.6% in recent 90-day pause on most reciprocal tariffs is expected to lead to more pre-tariff shipping in Q2 but will be counterbalanced by adverse effects from the extreme China tariffs. Tim Denoyer, vice president and senior analyst at ACT Research, wrote in the report, 'Volumes may also be temporarily supported in the coming months as consumers scoop up pre-tariff goods before prices go up. But thereafter, the trade war is likely to extend the for-hire freight recession as higher prices reduce goods affordability and consumers' real incomes.' Looking ahead, the report notes a frequently asked question is what proportion of freight is international trade, as the Cass Data focuses on domestic data. Denoyer notes, 'Even with good border and port data, it's tough to pinpoint.' To take a stab at that question, ACT asked the academic community. Jason Miller, professor at Michigan State, estimates the answer is in the range of 20% to 25%. In the meantime, Denoyer says freight is caught up in the trade war, adding, 'We expect a few more months of brisk demand for pre-tariff goods, followed by a tariff adjustment period with lower goods demand. It's been 39 months since the first y/y decline of this cycle, so a recovery can only be so far away. But freight is very much in the crosshairs of the trade war.' Summary: Tariff-related uncertainty continues to weigh on the dry van segment, which, compared to the previous year, is in a better pricing situation despite a deterioration in load tender volumes. The past week saw dry van outbound tender rejection rates fall 33 basis points from 5.52% on April 7 to 5.19%. Dry van outbound tender volumes were mostly flat w/w, up 0.76 points, from 6,992.55 points to 6,993.31 points. A bump in dry van spot rates the first week of April has given way to a slump, with the SONAR National Truckload Index 7-Day average falling 6 cents per mile all in from $2.29 on April 7 to $2.23. Spot market linehaul rates also fell, down 6 cents per mile from $1.73 to $1.67. For linehaul rates, fuel costs are based on the average retail price of diesel fuel and fuel efficiency of 6.5 miles per gallon. The formula is NTID – ( For fleets languishing in this tough operating environment, one sign of relief is the downward movement in the average retail price paid for diesel fuel. DTS fell 3 cents per gallon w/w from $3.65 to $3.62. Compared to this time last year's price of $4.07 per gallon, diesel prices are 45 cents per gallon lower. A single fuel tank for a Class 8 tractor averages between 120 and 150 gallons, with some fleets opting for two tanks at around 300 gallons. A 45-cent-per-gallon fuel savings can give fleets anywhere between $54 in savings for a 120-gallon tank to $135 for a 300-gallon tank. If a tractor runs 2,000 miles per week and has an engine at the low end of fuel economy at 6.5 mpg, it may fuel one or two times a week including extra fuel loss from idling. Doing the math, 2,000 miles divided by 6.5 mpg yields approximately 307 gallons, with a 300-gallon tank fueling around once a week and a 120-to-150-gallon tank at least twice a week. Over the course of a year, that can add up to between $5,616 and $7,020 extra net income per truck. NIMBY, other concerns limit state acquisition of land for public truck parking (Overdrive)FMCSA OKs exemptions for pulsing brake lights for 2 truck fleets (FreightWaves) Trucking companies spark healthier lifestyles for drivers (Commercial Carrier Journal) Freight fraud everywhere, but Truckstop CEO asks: Is anybody going to jail? (FreightWaves) Tariff Impact Analysis on Automakers in the United States (Center for Automotive Research)Breaking from the FreightTech AI pack: Companies make their case at TIA meeting (FreightWaves) The post Fear and loathing for truckload earnings appeared first on FreightWaves.
